The Story of Bellerophon - Part 1
As aspiring heroes began their training in the underworld, the number of them becoming my followers steadily increased. Perhaps it was due to being constantly exposed to the aura of the underworld, though Persephone's power had somewhat neutralized it...
"Pluto, if you can hear me, please show me mercy! Aaargh!!"
Boom!
"Iarytos! Are you alright?" "This guy’s completely lost it. Hey, snap out of it!"
Hmm. The human whose voice I just heard seems to have become my newest follower.
In fact, it’s not unusual for heroes who constantly suffer at the hands of mythical monsters to call out my name. When facing monsters that are nearly impossible to defeat with mortal strength, it’s only natural to turn to a god nearby.
However, no matter how desperately they call for me, I never help them. Unless they call me from the living world, the trials of the underworld are merely training exercises.
"Pluto, yet another soul has passed through today's trial and entered the underworld..." "Thank you for your grace..."
Meanwhile, the priests connected to the living world through the outskirts of the underworld were also doing their part. Occasionally, spies sent by Gaia, tainted by madness, were discovered, but they were well-filtered with a stone imbued with Dionysus' power.
As I watched the heroes' training from my throne with my eyes closed, a soft voice called out to me. It was the voice of Styx, the goddess I had grown accustomed to hearing.
"Hades, are you available?"
"Goddess Styx...? There’s no one here in the audience chamber, but what brings you here?"
She quietly opened the door of the chamber, glanced around, and entered.
"Have you heard that a new hero is attempting to kill the Chimera?"
"Chimera... one of Typhon and Echidna's offspring."
The Chimera, a terrifying beast that combined the forms of three animals, was indeed one of Typhon and Echidna's monstrous children. It had the body of a lion, with a goat's head protruding from its back, and a snake for a tail. The lion's head breathed fire, the goat's head was known for its cunning, and the snake’s fangs dripped with deadly venom.
Come to think of it, Typhon's offspring are all incredibly strong.
Take Cerberus, who guards the underworld's gates, or the Nemean Lion that lived in the valley of Nemea... Even the Sphinx, which was taken in by Hera and later killed by Oedipus before coming to the underworld, fits the category.
"So, a hero is going to kill one of Typhon's children. I imagine many gods are watching closely."
"Yes, Olympus has reached out. They’ve suggested we lend Pegasus to the hero—the winged horse born from the blood of the beheaded Medusa."
Pegasus, a magnificent white horse with wings, had been born from the blood of Medusa when the hero Perseus severed her head. Unlike ordinary horses, Pegasus could soar through the skies with the wings on its back.
The last time Medusa, who had become a minor goddess of the underworld, visited the surface, she brought Pegasus back with her. Apparently, when she approached him, Pegasus recognized her as a mother figure and followed her calmly.
Thus, Pegasus now leisurely resides in the underworld alongside his "mother."
"Alright then, let’s summon Medusa and ask her opinion. Since Pegasus was born from her, after all."
"I think she’s with Mente right now. Shall I call for them?"
"There’s no need. I’d like to see Pegasus myself. I hear he’s grazing in the Elysium Fields."
Since Pegasus had eaten the food of the underworld, he’s long been bound to this realm. Still, depending on Medusa's wishes, it might be possible to lend him temporarily to the hero.
The Elysium Fields, where I soon arrived, exuded warmth more comforting than the goddess of spring and cozier than the goddess of the hearth. A vast, endless plain, with gentle breezes and the chirping of insects in the air, greeted me.
Elysium looked no different from the fields of the living world. On a distant hill, a man lay enjoying the scenery. As I approached, he noticed me and stood up with a pleased expression. It was Cadmus, the great hero who had tricked Typhon and now lived here in Elysium.
He smiled and spoke as he recognized me.
"Lord Hades! What brings you to Elysium?"
"It’s been a while, Cadmus. Have you seen two goddesses with a winged horse around here?"
"If you mean them, they passed by not long ago."
Cadmus pointed in a direction, and I assumed the goddesses had taken Pegasus to graze. Since the horse would return once it finished grazing, I figured I could wait here and chat with Cadmus.
I decided to ask him how he was enjoying life in Elysium. After all, it's only proper to gather feedback from the residents of a paradise I had carefully crafted.
"How is life in Elysium? Are you satisfied?"
"Haha! My wife, Harmonia, never stops smiling. These days, even more so. Life here is far better than in the mortal world..."
Cadmus laughed heartily, showing his teeth. It seemed his relationship with his wife, the goddess of harmony, was still strong. Even in death, they lived in harmony—a mortal couple that remained close beyond the grave.
"Even after all these years, you and Harmonia are still so close."
"I may not be Aphrodite, but that’s the true essence of love, isn’t it?"
It had been many years since their deaths, yet their love had not waned.
Is this what love truly is? If so, perhaps I...
"But Lord Hades, what brings you here?"
"I’ve come to ask Medusa if we can lend Pegasus to a hero in the mortal world."
"The mortal world is still full of unrest, I see... Could this have anything to do with the serpent monsters I mentioned to you long ago?"
I told him about the Gigantes and how heroes were being trained in the outer reaches of the underworld. I also updated him on the status of his descendants and the people of Thebes still living in the mortal world.
"Ah... so that’s what’s happening. In that case, may I make a request?"
"A request? What is it? Speak."
"Since the heroes are training on the outskirts of the underworld, I would like to lend them my assistance."
"...You should rest in Elysium. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with such matters."
I rejected his offer outright, but Cadmus laughed heartily and spoke again. This place is a paradise, a dreamland for all...
"Lord Hades, guiding future generations on the right path is the duty and pride of any hero. Sometimes, helping them is more fulfilling than simply living in Elysium."
"But you’ve already completed your tasks and severed all ties with the mortal world..."
"Ask the other heroes. If they’re true heroes, they’ll give you a similar answer."
The first hero to steal Typhon's sinews and save Olympus, even after all these years, still had the same unyielding gaze. If this is what it means to be a hero, and if that’s their wish...
"...I’ll consider asking the others."
"Haha! Please, call on me whenever you need. I’d be more than happy to pass on my humble experience to the younger generation."
As we continued our conversation, I heard a voice from afar—a goddess calling out.
"Cadmus~! Where are you?!"
"That voice...! It seems Harmonia is looking for me."
"Indeed. I’ll be off to collect Pegasus now. Enjoy your time with your wife."
"Please, come visit again! Next time, I’ll have something prepared for you!"
It wasn’t long after I resumed my walk that I found the goddesses and Pegasus. The winged horse, with its beautiful white wings, noticed me and immediately whinnied, hiding behind Medusa.
"Whinny!"
"Oh! Lord Hades! Did you come to see me?" "You’ve come all the way to Elysium?"
Mente and Medusa greeted me with bright smiles, and I nodded in acknowledgment. Though it seemed Pegasus was still frightened of me.
"Medusa, I came to discuss lending Pegasus to a hero in the mortal world."
"Huh? Oh, you could have just commanded me..."
Medusa trailed off, and I remained silent. After all, she had been beheaded by a hero, and it was through that act that Pegasus was born.
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
After a moment of silence, Medusa seemed to realize something and bowed her head.
"Ah... There's no need to consider my feelings. Pegasus belongs to the Lord of the Underworld. You may lend him as you see fit."
"...Thank you. Once the hero has slain Typhon’s child, I’ll return him to you."
"Whinny!"
The clever animal seemed to understand, but after Medusa stroked his back a few times, he quieted down.
"Does he still follow you around everywhere you go?"
"Hehe... That was when he was just a foal. He’s grown up now, haven’t you?"
"Whinny!"
"For some reason, though, he’s still scared of Lord Hades. Perhaps because he’s a sky horse?"
Mente’s suggestion could be right. A creature like Pegasus, tied to the skies and oceans, would indeed find it difficult to adjust to life in the underworld.
Though he’s getting used to it, he still seems wary of me. Perhaps it's because he senses the underworld's aura, which conflicts with his nature. Regardless, he’s becoming more accustomed to the environment here, even if he remains a bit fearful around me.
I gestured toward Pegasus, and, despite his fear, the intelligent creature moved cautiously closer to my side.
"Well then, I’ll be taking Pegasus with me."
"Yes, of course. I look forward to seeing you again, Lord Hades!"
"Understood, Hades. Take care."
Now, it was time to pass this magnificent creature to the hero. But who should I entrust with the task of delivering him—Hermes? Athena?